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The sermon portrays Manasseh as an extreme example of sin, unbelief, and destructive influence, yet also as evidence of God’s astonishing mercy. Spurgeon argues that unbelief is often sustained by pride and love of sin, while conversion is possible because God can humble and save those whom humans consider unreachable. Forgiveness and answered prayer become signs of God’s gracious work. The final appeal is explicitly evangelical: sinners must rely on Christ’s work, not their own works, and believe in him for salvation.
Theological center: Salvation is entirely an act of God’s mercy, grounded in Christ’s atoning death and received through repentance and faith rather than human works.
Applications: Repent and turn to God · Believe Christ for salvation · Unbelief is rooted in sin · God can save the impossible
Primary texts: 2 Chronicles 33:13 · 2 Chronicles 33:21-22 · 1 Timothy 1:15
“Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.” 2 Chronicles 33:13 MANASSEH is one of the most remarkable characters whose history is written in the sacred pages. We are accustomed to mention his name in the list of those who greatly sinned and yet found great mercy. Side by side with Saul of Tarsus, with that great sinner who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and with the thief who died upon the cross—a forgiven sinner at the eleventh hour, we are wont to write the name of Manasseh, who “shed innocent blood very much,” and notwithstanding that, he was forgiven and pardoned, finding mercy through the blood of a Savior who had not then died, but whom God foresaw should die, and the merits of whose sacrifice He therefore imputed to so great a transgressor as Manasseh. Without preface we shall enter on the history of Manasseh this morning and consider him in a threefold light. First, as a sinner, then as an unbeliever, and thirdly, as a convert. It may be there shall be some Manasseh within these walls now, and if in describing the case of this ancient king of Israel, I shall in some degree describe him, I trust he will take to himself the same consoling truths which were the means of the comfort of Manasseh when in the dungeon of repentance. I. First then, we shall consider MANASSEH IN HIS SIN. 1. And we note, first, that he belonged to that class of sinners who stand first in the phalanx of evil— namely, those who sin against great light, against a pious education, and early training. Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah, a man who had some faults, but of whom it is nevertheless said, “He did right in the sight of the LORD.” To a great degree he walked before God with a perfect heart, even as did David his father. We cannot suppose that he neglected the education of his son Manasseh. He was the son of his old age. You will remember that at a time of heavy sickness God promised Hezekiah that he would have his life prolonged fifteen years. Three years after that event, Manasseh was born and he was, therefore, only twelve years old when his father died. Still, he was old enough to remember the pious prayer of a father and a mother, and had arrived at sufficient maturity to understand right from wrong, and to have received those early impressions which we believe are, in most cases, eminently useful for adult life. And yet Manasseh pulled down what his father had built up and built up the idol temples which his father had pulled down. Now, it is a notorious fact that men who do go wrong after a good training are th…